A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A Hawke’s Bay red blend – from the famous Cornerstone Vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels sub-region. An inkily dark ruby colour in the glass. Bountiful perfumes of liquorice, plum and …
Čuvar Iris Malbec Merlot 2022 Read More
Crafted by Jen Parr for Wild Earth Wines – a secondary label for them, destined for sale in FMCG – I bought the bottle in Countdown. Unfortunately I neglected to …
Stockman’s Station Pinot Noir Read More
A glass that I had at the Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant with a very fine lunch on my annual holiday in South island. A single vineyard Sauvignon with a barrel-ferment …
Gibbston Valley Pisa Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Read More
At one of the ‘judge’s dinners’ – after a day’s work at the New Zealand International Wine show in September 2023, there were a couple of wines on the table …
Ayrburn, Central Otago Read More
From the Morrison Vineyard in Gibbston. Chenin Blanc as a variety produces wines that hold most of their interest in three things – texture, acidity and lees-influenced ‘bite’. At their …
Mt Edward Chenin Blanc 2021 Read More
A blend of classic Alsace varietals – gewürztraminer, pinot gris, muscat and riesling, from one block in their North Canterbury vineyards – all picked in one day. A medium golden-green …
Mountford Estate Hommage 2015 Read More
A ‘vino de pasto’ wine from the Pérez family’s holdings in the well-regarded Macharnudo vineyard, in the Cadiz area. Made from Palomino grapes, the same as used for the famed …
Bodega Luis Pérez La Escribana Read More
I’ve never had a ‘Library Release’ wine from Villa Maria that hasn’t been a huge pleasure to drink, and this is no exception. From the spectacular 2010 vintage for Hawkes …
Villa Maria ‘Library Release’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2010 Read More
Made by Hugh Crichton in the excellent 2021 vintage, before he landed the Elephant Hill job, and from the well-regarded Rivermere Vineyard (re-named from the Lyons Vineyard) beside the Ngaruroro …
Čuvar Guardian Chardonnay 2021 Read More
A wine from the Chalk Hill winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia. A dark, inky purple/black colour. Opulent aromas of bramble, boysenberry, dark chocolate, cinnamon toast, plum and violets come …
Alpha Crucis ‘Titan’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Read More